Infinite Voyage

A promise broken

            [Authur's note: This is roleplay related.]

I must've been in a light slumber when I felt a smooth pair of arms wrap themselves around my abdomen. Waking me up slowly to the city view just outside my apartment windows. It dark outside, and the planet sized city glowing beautifully in the night sky. The planet Carsis large and massive on the horizon. I took a slow breath in as I closed my eyes at the feeling of someone behind me snuggling their face into my shoulder blade. Giving it a light kiss. "Can't sleep?" I heard the soft gently voice of Alexa, a girl I liked to see whenever I came back to Paloris. I reopen my eyes at her question. She could always tell when I was awake, even when I faked it. Guess she knew me, and my condition that well. "Yeah.." I croak out. Melting to the feeling of her running her hand up my back to gently play with my hair. "Why's that? Thought you being exhausted from your injury would finally let you sleep." She spoke as she continued her gentle movements. I took a long breath in only to let it back out just the same way. "Yeah I did too." I say with a heavy sigh. Looking over at the nightstand. The hologram clock reading 3:47 in the morning. Then below it it showed my phone notifications. 7 calls and 13 text messages from Zen. Eyes widening, I shot up into a sitting position. Scaring Alexa and making her sit up with me. "Jesus- what just got into you?" She stares up at me as I'm already throwing my legs off the bed and grabbed my phone to read the text messages. My breath stopped upon reading them. Alexa peaking over my shoulder to see. "Rex, talk to me. What's wrong?" But I didn't let her see. I got up and immediately started looking for my clothes that where scattered around the floor. Pulling on my pants, I looked back at her wrapped up in the bed sheets. Looking worried. "I'm so sorry about this Alexa. It's Zen. Something came up and I need to go see him. I'll be back." I say grabbing my leather jacket and didn't bother with a shirt. "Keep an eye on Sasha for me?" Zipping it up as she climbed along the bed to follow me walking around it. "Of course, but could you please start with that next time? God you gave me a freaking heart attack." She grumbles as I'm slipping my shoes on. "I'm sorry, I will." I say before going to the entrance and pushing the elevator's button to my floor. It took a minute, but it eventually opened and I was already inside before the doors could fully open. Pushing the button frankly to go to the ground parking, the doors closed and off it went. Flying down the many floors this apartment complex had. I turned to face the outside of the elevator, and the view of the city took over my entire vision. Unable to hold still, I pulled out my phone to check if Zen was where he said he was waiting for me two hours ago. Outside the TTSE academy. On the bridge. Good. He was still there by what his phone told me. I was just looking up as the elevator touched down on my desired floor. Turning to face the doors I went out the moment they were open enough to let me through. I full on sprinted to my car and the doors slowly flipped up and I got in. Doors closing behind me, the car turned on automatically once it scanned my body. Her engines roaring. I turned the wheel and hit the gas and pulled out of my parking space. I didn't know how much time I had when it came to Zen, so I wasn't risking it. I was already two hours late. I can't believe it said he was still waiting. Or was he? Don't think about that now. Just drive, and do it fast. Break a few laws if you have to and pay the tickets later. It doesn't matter. The academy came into sight after a 15 minute drive, and I pulled to the side. Not a parking area, but whatever. I opened the door to my car and was off like my life depended on it. Seeing the bridge that spanned over to the academy, and off to the city. It's main bridge into the TTSE. I could hear the sound of the traffic flying down below it. As it always did. Always vehicles of all shapes and sizes were always flying over head or down below. Never fast or slow hours. Just always going. I made it to the bridge as I was just starting to feel it in my chest. Slowly down as I casually walked along it now. Looking for any sign of Zen. And it didn't take long to find him. I saw the blue glowing smoke of one of those nastier cigarettes he liked to smoke when we was nervous or troubled. That already a bad sign as I slowly got closer to him. He was leaning on the bridge's side, and looking out at the traffic. Standing where the lights overhead didn't reach him. Making his eyes and cigarette most noticeable. I could already tell he looked rough by how loosely his clothes were hanging off of him. This wasn't good. "Zen?" I spoke softly out towards him as I continued to approach him. I saw him pause for a brief second before taking another long drag of his cigarette. "Don't worry, you said." I heard his gruff robotic voice glitch out. Sounding awful like he was tired, or it got damaged. "Join my crew you said and you'll be okay." I realize he was repeating my words I spoke to him once upon a time. "You got a second chance, why not use it? Don't worry, I'll be there for you." He continued as he finished his cigarette, then flicked it out over the bridge's edge. Letting the glowing smoke seep out of his mouth. "But guess what happened when I decided to finally reach out to you because I was at my lowest?" He leans back and turns to face me in a very slow, and sluggish manner. "7 missed calls, and 13 undelivered text messages. And I waited. For two FUCKING hours to respond!" Zen stepped into the light when he swore at me. And now I saw why he hid in the light. His one eye flickering so badly he probably couldn't see out of it. His right ear piece missing. Looking like it got bashed off from the impact on his cracked head. His jaw was loose, and terrible things had been graffitied onto his face. His clothes was just a simple jumper. Barely zipped up that it almost fell of his shoulder. He looked like he'd just gone through hell. "And you said you'd be there. When I needed you most." He continued as my wide gaze took in his destroyed face. "Well guess fucking what? You didn't. Just like I said. But you know what made it worse?" I looked into his eyes and he barked. "DO YOU?!" And I choked. "No..." Making Zen through up his arms like I was an idiot. "That I actually believed you'd stop me from jumping off this bridge. That you," he pointed at me as his voice quivered. "Of all people would be the one because you cared enough. But guess what? You didn't. You weren't there. It was me. Me who stopped myself from doing it." He said like he was about to break down. And I'm sure he would've if his body could produce tears. I didn't know what to say. A lump sat deep in my throat. I gave him my word those many years ago that I would be there for him when he'd need me the most. And I blew it. He depended on me, and I wasn't there. I took in a breath just as I was about to say something but Zen waved me off. Shaking his head. "Whatever... This wasn't what I came for. I'm here to tell you Deva said your plan is ready to get Tick and Chub out. You just gotta give them the word." He finished with tossing something to me. I almost missing and dropping it. I opened my palms and it was a small transmitter. Quickly looking back up at him, Zen had already turned his back on me and was walking back to the academy. "Zen wait!" I ran after him and grabbed his shoulder to make him face me. I spoke too fast before he could protest or make a reaction. "I know I said I'd be there for you, and I wasn't. I completely blew it, and I am so soo sorry for that. But please let me make it up to you. Let me fix this." I say holding his shoulders in place so he couldn't turn away again. He starred up at me with a startled expression. Then all the emotions came back to him and he dropped his gaze. "There's nothing you can do Rex. It already happened and you know what the council said. I'm stuck by Hank's side until said otherwise..." he voice quivered again. I knew he was already regretting returning back to the academy. Knowing it wouldn't get any better, and this visit probably already cost him. But I tightened my stance and shook my head. "No." I said sternly. Making him glance up at me. "No this is wrong. This is physical and mental abuse to MY navigator. Not his. So I have a say on the matter. I don't care what they say, but you're staying the night at my place. We'll deal with them in the morning." I finish with making Zen look up at me with a confused look. "I can't do that. They'll be at both our throats if you do that. Besides, it's not like we can fix this. It's just my word against his and you know how that'll-" "Don't you have footage of what happened?" I quickly interrupted. Making him pause. "What, no? They pulled me aside and did it somewhere where they knew they wouldn't be fou-" "but wouldn't YOU have a recording of what happened?" I interrupted once more. And then it clicked with Zen. His memory data would have recorded the assault. Or punishment as they would put it. We had something on them. If they were going to pull their card, we'd pull ours. That is, if Zen's systems aren't too old to access anymore. But it was worth a try. I wasn't letting him down again. I can't. "I guess so... if it would work." Zen replied back thoughtfully. "Good, then it's settled." I nod, letting his shoulders go. "You're staying at my place tonight." And he looked back up at me with a tired brow raised. "Won't you be having someone over?" And I gave him an awkward laugh. Rubbing the back of my neck defeated. "Yeaaaah, but she'll understand." Seeming to satisfy Zen enough, he let his shoulders slack. "Well..." he muttered. "I don't think I have enough energy to walk back anyways." He sighed. Making me give a warm smile. "Great, come on then. Let's get outta here." I say putting an arm around his shoulder. And for once, he didn't shove me away. But it probably was only because he didn't have the energy to do so. But there we walked off the bridge. Together.